Introduction: Just as first impressions are lasting ones, so too are last words most impressionable. Timothy understood this when his father in the faith, apostle Paul wrote his last letter to him (2 TIMOTHY).
These are among the last words that our LORD would speak with His disciples prior to the Cross and His death. Yet unlike Paul, the apostles didn’t hear the last from Him! As the saying goes, “You just can’t keep a good man down!” Only in this case, we’re talking about the ONLY Good Man ever to be born (MATT 19:17)!
At this point in the chapter, the apostles are baffled by the LORD’s statement, “One of you will betray Me.” That must have really rocked their world! Imagine how they all must have looked at one another, completely mystified! I can picture Judas however, averting any eye contact with the others…
JOHN 13:23-27
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25 Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."
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INTRODUCTION: We continue now in this study, observing and tracing the plan that GOD has set forth to proclaim and initiate the Gospel Agenda, though Satan did his best to run interference and prevent it from taking place.
He failed, and this demonstrates GOD supreme authority and sovereignty!
He tried to prevent “the seed” from crushing him by goading Cain (I have no doubt he did!) into murdering his brother Abel. When that didn’t work, Satan used a tactic that many find quite bizarre!
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Towards the end of his ministry Moses was called by GOD to meet Him at the Tabernacle of Meeting. And he was told to bring Joshua with him…
NUMBERS 27:18-23
18 And the LORD said to Moses: "Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19 "set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and inaugurate him in their sight. 20 "And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 21 "He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the LORD for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him-all the congregation." 22 So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. 23 And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses (See also DEUT. 31:3-8; 14-23).
After a rather significant, serious blunder on the part of Moses, the LORD ended his career, stating that he would not lead Israel into the promised land. That mission would go to Joshua (NUM 20:11-12).
If you’ve ever been asked to fill the shoes of your mentor, someone that you’ve held the highest respect for – you know something about how Joshua must have felt. Even Scripture itself states that there was never another prophet like Moses (DEUT 34:10). How could Joshua possibly live up to that?
This is why GOD had to keep reassuring this man (JOSH 1:5-9).
This story begins at the riverfront of the Jordan, where Joshua and Israel are about to crossover into Canaan land…
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Introduction: True Wisdom in the Christian is born of the Holy Spirit; we can't have wisdom without GOD and His Word of Truth.
As we continue to go through Proverbs, let's understand that we are just as dependent on GOD for real wisdom as we are for salvation!
PROVERBS 25:1-2
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
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INTRODUCTION: Philippi was, early on in Roman history, a city held in high esteem, having a port nearby and considerable gold mines that were still profitable. Paul the apostle left Troy and entered into Europe on his second missionary journey, due to a vision he received from GOD and first preached in Philippi (located in the province of Macedonia) and established the first church in the region, starting with a convert by the name of Lydia, an affluent woman, a trader in fabrics and dyes.
We read about Paul’s time in Philippi in ACTS 16:12-40.
It was during his first internment in Ephesus (or possibly Caesarea or perhaps even Rome) that he wrote this epistle to the Philippians. While he was quite hopeful for a release, it was far from a certainty. This might have meant an end to his ministry had not the LORD intervened!
Doctor Luke was from Philippi (but most likely born in Antioch) and probably attended a school there where he studied medicine, which would explain his affinity for this city and the church there. He joined the missionary team that the apostle assembled and helped to minister to the relatively new church but then remained behind to continue ministry there when Paul and Company moved on. Note the “we” in ACTS 16:10 – implying that the writer of ACTS (being Luke himself) – joined the team but then remained in Philippi once Paul moved on by the “they” in ACTS 17:1. There’s textual evidence that Luke rejoined the team on two subsequent occasions.
Paul returned to visit Philippi after he left Ephesus, again traveling to the region of Macedonia (2 COR 2:12-3; 7:5) and once more sometime later (ACTS 20:3). The apostle maintained regular communication with the Philippian church by way of messengers as well (ACTS 18:5; 19:22; 2 COR 11:9; PHIL 2:25).
The theme for this epistle has long been known as “joy in the midst of suffering” and we will see this theme again and again through this letter.
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Have you ever sat down and really thought about all that GOD would have to do in order to prepare for His Son, the Word made flesh to come to Earth and deliver the Gospel? And what about all of the ramifications of the Gospel, how it would work in the lives of those who received it?
MANDATE IN ETERNITY, IN TIME
Before GOD even began His work of creation, He existed from all of eternity, self-existent and self-defining, Three Persons in One Godhead. What does the Trinity (or triune GOD) have to do with the Gospel? Much! As we will (eventually) learn!
Then was the decision made in the halls of eternity, in the domain of the Third Heaven where GOD the Father would send GOD the Son to Earth as the propitiation for the sins of the world. That happened even before GOD said, “Let there be light.”
Then He began His creation – the entire angelic host that dwelled with Him in the Third Heaven, and possibly in the world before the creation of Man (?). Over the course of six days, He set in order all of the Earth with its firmaments, the separation of land and water, the establishment of the sun, moon and stars. He created life in the skies, on the Earth and in the seas.
Then came the pinnacle of His creation! His masterpiece: forming man from the dust of the Earth and breathing into him, creating a living soul. He placed Adam in the Garden of Eden and explained His one and single prohibition: Do not partake of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Adam named all of the animals – a monumental task, naming everything from the immense whales, down to aphids. No doubt he noticed that they all had a mate – unlike himself, who was alone…
Then GOD put Adam into a deep sleep, took a rib and with that formed a helper for Adam – the woman Eve.
All was well in paradise, that is, until the serpent (“seraphim” in the Hebrew) entered the picture. The idea of Adam, and that which came from Adam’s rib – the woman, is also very pertinent to the Gospel. More on this later on in subsequent articles!
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23 These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment. 24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him. 25 But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. 26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips. 27 Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house. 28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, For would you deceive with your lips?
PROVERBS 24:23
These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
We can say that all of the verses in PROVERBS, and the entire Revelation of GOD’s Word, expressions of divine wisdom “belongs to the wise”. The Holy Scriptures are our heritage, our foundation, in a sense – they are our custodianship (we keep the Word of GOD in our hearts). As Disciples of Christ Who is the Word made flesh, the source of all knowledge, all wisdom, all grace, mercy and peace, the Holy Word is the source for our spiritual food and life, our faith and belief, our conduct, the source of the culture of the Kingdom of GOD that we belong to!
Justice – or “judgment” is part of this Kingdom. The LORD is just, righteous, fair and equitable. He doesn’t allow His justice to be marred by bias or partiality. Justice is rendered to all those who are guilty of violating His Holy Law, with one exception, and only one!
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INTRODUCTION: As was mentioned previously, the mission of Nehemiah was to restore the walls of Jerusalem and the management of the city. He was likewise involved in the restoration of the people of Jerusalem, which was the primary focus of Ezra the priest’s mission.
In this last chapter of this amazing book of Nehemiah, this godly man was indeed involved in restoring, “resetting”, and even rebuking the people of Jerusalem for their wayward behaviors after a twelve year departure by Nehemiah who returned to the King Artaxerxes as his cupbearer for a time.
There will never be a time in our lives when we won’t need exhortation, admonition and correction. As one who has walked with the LORD for over 44 years, I know for a fact that I’m in need of the LORD and all of the ways He brings correction, guidance, and discipline to me.
This happens when I read the Scripture and trials that enter into my life with the LORD’s stamp of approval. But like with Israel, the LORD’s intent is for my good, and for His glory!
So, let’s get into this last chapter and see what the LORD will tell us!
If this is your first time checking out this study on Nehemiah, you can start with this link to CHAPTER One.
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Almost any superhero movie starts out with an origin story. How did Batman Begin? How did the Caped Crusader come to be? What happened to Dr. Bruce Banner that he became a raging, green Hulk? There’s backstory that the moviegoer witnesses that explains who the lead character is, how they became a superhero and why.
As we look at Moses’ origin story (he was no superhero, but he was certainly heroic!), we discover that Jacob and his twelve sons settled in Egypt as a result of a devastating regional famine. That terrible event is what brought Jacob to be reunited with Joseph, whom he thought was slain by a beast, and started the process rolling for Israel’s destiny.
They entered Egypt as a family, but they left in the exodus as a nation; GOD Himself taking them by the hand (like a parent, gently, slowly, carefully leading their precious little one who toddles along; JER 31:32) and leading them to the Promised Land, with Moses at the head of the line…
EXODUS begins with the word “Now…” in Chapter 1, verse 1 because it picks up where GENESIS leaves off in this narrative, even though it was 300 years since the death of Joseph, second youngest son of Jacob. And this story has to do with another of Jacob’s twelve sons, Levi – or more accurately a son of Levi: Moses…
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The five great lights are as follows (for each one of these LIGHTS, we will include a hyperlink to the corresponding teaching that pastor Sonny gave at SHINE BRIGHT Church):
1.THE LIGHT OF CREATION.
2. THE LIGHT OF CONSCIENCE.
3.THE LIGHT OF CONDEMNATION.
We will conclude with the Fourth and Fifth GREAT LIGHT OF GOD
4. THE LIGHT OF COMMANDMENTS.
5. THE LIGHT OF CHRIST.
God in His kindness has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind. The Creator has made Himself known to His beloved creatures - leaving everyone “without excuse” at the final Judgment. In ancient times, it was said that “all roads lead to Rome.” In time past and today all roads lead to the final judgment.
Jesus and divine truth rejecters will meet with God at the Great White Throne Judgement (REV 20) while genuine Jesus and divine truth lovers will meet with God at the Judgment (Bema) Seat of Christ also known as the judgment of rewards (1 COR 3).
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The book of Ephesians explains how the Church comes to full spiritual maturity in Christ. Perhaps more than any other book of the bible, the Book of Ephesians emphasizes the connection between SOUND DOCTRINE and RIGHT PRACTICE in the Christian life.
The first part describes the Good News of what God has done (EPH 1-3).
The second section gives instructions on how to live in light of those blessings (EPH 4-5).
Ephesians ends with an encouragement to stand firm in the face of any hardships (EPH 6).
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A spiritual principle follows the same principle in the physical, and in particular, farming. Plant a lot of seed, reap a lot of harvest. Plant sparingly, reap sparingly. And in the spiritual domain, there’s no fooling GOD. You might fool your pastor, you might fool your church, you might even be able to fool your own family – possibly even your spouse.
But there is no fooling GOD. He sees all, He knows all. He’ll see to it that whatever we sow, we will harvest. If one sows to the Spirit, one will reap life everlasting; if sown to the flesh, one will reap corruption.
GALATIANS 6:7-9
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
So, may we be encouraged to do what’s right, sow to the Spirit – invest in your relationship with the LORD! Allow Him to do the work in you that He greatly desires to do which will bless you, and others, as well as bring glory to Himself (much deserved of course!). Even if we sow, and sow, and sow, and we’re not seeing a lot of results. No matter! Keeping going! The Scripture states that we “shall reap IF we don’t lose heart”!
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In our lives as biblical Christians, we must have the “walls of truth” protect us from the insidious seductions, allurements and enticements, to say nothing of the virulent attacks by Satan himself. There is also the wall of prayer, by which we intercede for ourselves, our loved ones, our pastors and church leaders.
There is a lot in our media today about borders and walls. It’s important to note that GOD intended that there would be separate, sovereign nations, and any globalism apart from the one world government that will be founded by and upon Christ is inspired by the occult.
Nations are meant to keep their cultural, societal and governmental distinctions just as GOD preserved the nation of Israel during the days of Nehemiah, Ezra and Zerubbabel. GOD’s vision was completed at this time, and the nation grew once again for more than four centuries, despite being ruled over by Gentile powers.
There will come a day when Israel will accept Jesus as their Messiah and this will inaugurate the Kingdom of Israel, and then, any walls will serve decorative purposes only!
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